Linear type font oscillating means for high speed printers and the like



Nov. 1969 c. WASSERMANN 76,0

LINEAR TYPE FONT OSCILLATING MEANS FOR HIGH SPEED PRINTERS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

CARL I. WASSERMANN WwM ATTORNEY Nov. 4. 1969 c. l. WASSERMANN 3,

' LINEAR TYPE FONT OSCILLATING MEANS FOR HIGH SPEED PRINTERS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

CARL I, WASSERMANN ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 101-93 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention comprises a method of and means for moving one or more linear type fonts back and forth past a marking point in a lateral excursion equal to one type font. A yoke attached to the font is constrained along a horizontal path by upper and lower guide rods. A drive roller on a ball bearing shaft and free to move vertically in a slot in the yoke serves to move the yoke along the horizontal path. The shaft is attached to a molded drive belt which in turn is moved continuously by a drive pulley over which it passes. Thus, uniform rotation of the drive pulley results in constant velocity of the fonts as the belt moves between drive rollers and in simple harmonic motion as it rounds the drive pulleys. In order to reduce centrifugal forces on the belt as it rounds the drive pulleys, the drive roller is constrained by arcual guide blocks during the curvilinear portion of the travel.

High speed printing is a term used to describe data printers which print at very high speed under the control of electrical signals. Type faces are moved continuously past a marking point on a paper web and when a desired character passes over a marking position, a high speed hammer is actuated to print the character. Two modes of type face carries have been used rather generally in the past. In one of these modes the type faces are carried on a rotating drum and are printed out by suitable electromagnetically operated hammers as shown in Patent No. 3,117,514, for example. The other mode uses type faces carried on a moving endless belt as illustrated in Patent No. 3,224,366.

The type drum is expensive and damaged fonts are difficult to replace among other disadvantages. The belt method is less expensive but sifers from other problems such as stretching of the belt and whipping action which causes uneven printing.

SUMMARY The present invention uses linear carriers of type fonts which are simple and inexpensive to build. The alignment is accurate providing very even printing lines. The means for oscillating the type fonts on the linear carries is rugged, a simple and effective. By combining linear motion over most of the type font excursion with shockless harmonic motion at the reversals in direction, high speed vibrationless passage of the type characters past the marking points is achieved. A plurality of linear fonts may be stacked to provide alternate type styles or for other purposes. Type fonts are inexpensive and may readily be changed if necessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a general view in perspective of the linear type font system in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view in perspective of the yoke and guide rods.

FIGURE 3 is a view in perspective of the drive belt and drive roller.

FIGURE 4 is a detail illustrating the clock track forming a part of the type font carrier.

3,476,044 Patented Nov. 4, 1969 FIGURE 5 is a detail of a typical drive pulley.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGURE 1 is a general view in perspective of the linear type font system in accordance with the present invention showing the essential elements for a ready understanding but omitting obvious parts such as a base or frame. Three linear type fonts 1, 2 and 3 are shown secured to yoke 4 by suitable means as by a U channel (see FIG. 4). Yoke 4 includes an accurately machined opening 5 in which a drive roller 6 is confined laterally but is free to move vertically. Drive roller 6 is free to rotate on an axle 7 which in turn is rigidly attached to drive belt 8. This drive belt 8 is moved continuously by drive pulleys 9 and 10 which in turn are rotated at constant speed by suitable driving motors, not shown. As pulleys 9 and 10 are rotated, belt 8 travels from left to right carrying drive roller 6 and hence moving type fonts 1, 2 and 3 from left to right. When axle 7 carrying drive roller 6 comes to the sop of drive pulley 10, it starts to move downward in opening 5 and the horizontal motion of type fonts 1, 2 and 3 decelerates reaching zero velocity when axle 7 is in the same horizontal plane as the axle of drive pulley 10. As belt 8 continues its travel, motion of axle 7, yoke 4 and type fonts 1, 2 and 3 is accelerated in the opposite direction reaching full reverse velocity when axle 7 is directly under the axle of pulley 10. Linear motion continues until axle 7 is directly under the axle of pulley 9 at which point deceleration and reversal to the original direction starts. Thus, type fonts 1, 2 and 3 are moved at maximum linear velocity from left to right and from right to left with a simple shockless harmonic motion transition at each end of the linear excursions.

Yoke 4 is held in rigid longitudinal alignment but free to slide on linear bearings 11 and 12 moving along accurately aligned guide rods 13 and 14 respectively. Guide rods 13 and 14 are supported by end blocks 15, 16, 17 and 18 which in turn are mounted on a suitable frame, not shown. Drive roller 6 fits snugly in slot 5 and is free to move up and down so that the lateral motion component of axle 7 is transmitted to type fonts 1, 2 and 3 accurately and with substantially no jitter. Surrounding the outer peripheries of drive pulleys 9 and 10 are guide blocks 23 and 24 respectively. The surfaces of these guide blocks facing the pulleys are formed in arcs having the same centers as drive pulleys 9 and 10 so that any tendency of drive roller 6 to fly off due to centrifugal forces is restrained.

FIGURE 2 shows yoke 4 with opening 5 guided on rods 13 and 14 by linear bearings 11 and 12. The inner parts of yoke 4 are cut away as at 19 and 20 to provide a passage for spanning the drive belt.

FIGURES 3 and 5 shows how drive belt 8 is provided with teeth 21 to mesh with teeth 22 in drive pulley 9. FIGURE 3 also shows how axle 7 is mounted securely and rigidly on belt 8. Drive roller 6 fits over and turns freely on axle 7.

FIGURE 4 is a detail of a suitable U-channel 25 for mounting the type fonts 1, 2 and 3. This frame may also include timing holes 26 scanned by a suitable photoelectric cell 27 illuminated by a lamp 28 and lens 29.

While only one form of the present invention has been shown and described, many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth, in particular, in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a high speed printer, the combination of;

a linear type font holder;

a cleated endless belt;

3 4 a air of ulle s for movin said belt alon a ath 3. High speed printer means as set forth in claim 1; P p y g g P including two straight portions and two semiwherein said type font holder carriers a plurality of timing circular portions between and around said pulleys means spaced in accordance with type fonts to be mounted respectively; in said holder. an axle member attached to said belt; 5 a drive roller mounted on said axle member; References Cited a yoke rieanshcrflpled to Zaid roller arid secured to said UNITED STATES PATENTS type ont er and aving an eongated opening in which the drive roller is confined laterally but is 2831424 4/1958 MacDonald 101 111 X 2,936,704 5/1960 Hense 101-93 free to move vertically for oscillating sald type font holder in accordance with the longitudinal com- 3115092 12/1963 Sasakl 101 93 onent of Said belt 3,135,195 6/1964 Potter 101-93 P P 3,212,435 10/1965 Walker 101-93 and two guide blocks having are shaped surfaces facing said pulleys and spaced therefrom and surrounding 3282205 11/1966 Cogar lob-'93 3,308,749 3/1967 Dowd 101-93 the outer peripheries thereof for restraining said 15 drive roller in the semi-circular portion of its path WILLIAM B PENN around said pulleys. 2. High speed printer means as set forth in claim 1; US Cl XR wherein a plurality of parallel type fonts are mounted in said font holder. 101-109; 197-56 Primary Examiner 

